*Sorry if I annoy you all with my author's notes.

*Don't own anything.

*wintergiirll I was going to make Yasu an acquaintance of the twins but it was much easier to have him be Mai's best friend.

* dianaloveanime A jealous Naru will appear a bit later…

Mai POV

Prince Oliver. I just refused to serve tea to a Prince. Not only did I refuse to serve him tea, I also pretty much insulted him as well, though he did deserve it. I might have considered serving him another cup of tea if he had asked nicely instead of demanding it, but he didn't. Who could ever consider that type of behavior charming at all, I think. I keep replaying the scene at the teashop as I make my way towards the library. Along the way, I bump into someone's back, causing me to fall to the ground.

"Ow" I say as my mind finally stops replaying the scene at the teashop, noticing that I had fallen in front of a church close to the library where I usually study.

"Sorry Miss" John Brown, the young blond-haired and blue-eyed priest said.

"Oh, hi John. No need to apologize when it was my fault" I say sheepishly as he extends his hand to help me get up.

"Hi Mai, didn't recognize you at first. Are you okay?" John asked.

"I'm fine. Thanks for asking though. Sorry, I was a little distracted and didn't see where I was going."

"It's fine, don't worry about it. What were you thinking about?" John questioned.

"Stupid jerk…."I mutter silently.

"I'm sorry what did you say?" John asks.

"Eh..nothing. How are the kids?" I suddenly ask.

"They are good. Thanks for asking. Do you want to come in for a bit and say hello? Or do you need to be somewhere else at the moment?" John asks.

"I was just heading to the library but I can make a quick stop here first."

"If you need to be somewhere else, you don't have to come in, I can just say hello to them on your behalf" he says.

"Don't worry about it. You know I cannot resist an opportunity to see the kids. I just love them too much."

"And they love you as well," John chuckled as he led me inside the church. The church was pretty big since it had a huge building attached to it that served as a house for all the orphaned children. There was a hall that connected the church and the house and so we walked though it until we reached the dining room where all the kids were finishing their dinner. As soon as we stepped through the door of the dining room, all eyes were on John and me.

"Mai!" They all yelled in unison as they rushed towards me to give me a hug.

"Now kids, please settle down" John said and they all reluctantly slowed down and I hugged them one by one.

"Are you going to play with us today?" one boy asked.

"Are you going to read us a story today?" a girl asked.

"Are you going to make us tea?" another boy asked.

"Did you really ask that? I am pretty sure Mai is already tired of making tea since she works at the tea shop pretty much every day" an older girl said.

"Unfortunately I only stopped by to say hello today. I can come back one of these days and play, read and make tea for you guys. No matter how much tea I make everyday, I would never refuse to make you guys tea if you guys wanted it" I say.

"Aww, when can you come back? They asked together.

"How about I come here on Sunday, since I don't work that day? We can spend all morning and afternoon together if you guys would like?" I ask.

"Mai, you don't have to do that. You spoil them too much as it is." John says, shaking his head.

"Yes come back Sunday, please?" they all ask while John just shakes pretending to be upset, but could not help the smile forming on his face, seeing the kids so happy.

"Okay, I will see you all on Sunday then," I say as I hug them goodbye and make my way to the library.

Gene POV

This girl sure has guts, and I like it. I think that arguing with Mai has been one of the longest conversations my brother has had with a girl that was not forced. I like her already because she is able to make my less social brother talk, even if it is more arguing than talking. I wonder if I am getting way too ahead of myself if I start thinking about her as my new sister-in-law. No girl has ever seemed to be worthy of my brother's attention, and to think that all we had to do was come to a teashop. I don't think that my brother's fascination just ends with the excellent tea. I have to remember to thank Madoka for mentioning this place.

Naru POV

My brother and I are silent on our way back to the palace. He is lost in his thoughts just as I am. Usually, we can read each others mind if we really wanted to, but right now I glad that he is too lost in his own to read my thoughts. I would never hear the end of it if he knew that my mind was preoccupied with thoughts of that delicious tea and that irritating waitress. Honestly, she was pretty with that short brown hair of hers and those chocolate brown eyes. Wait…what am I thinking…she was not pretty. She was rude but at the same time she was interesting. I had yet come across a girl that didn't fall for the charms of my brother and I, even though mine were not even remotely sincere. But somehow she saw through my act. Stop thinking about her, it is not like I'll see her again, but I know it isn't true if I want to get another cup of that mouthwatering tea. Gene and I were too preoccupied with our thoughts that we didn't notice Lin was trailing behind us in a black car.

"Eugene, Oliver" Lin said as the car finally stopped. Gene and I looked up at the sound of his voice, taking the hint that he meant for us to get in the car. We both get in and close the doors behind us. Lin was about to speak, however, Gene spoke up.

"I know what you are going to say Lin, so hold on. Why would we leave a very important meeting and why would we leave the palace without guards? I'll tell you why, we left because there was no point in staying in the meeting because Naru and I knew father wouldn't let us have an opinion about finding a suitable partner at the ball. The reason why we left without guards is because it was just a harmless visit to the teashop that Madoka recommended. What could have happened to us at a teashop?" Gene explained.

"Harmless visit or not Gene, you know you are not allowed anywhere outside the palace without guards or me. By the way, who is Naru?" Lin asked, looking at the rearview mirror and noticing how a scowl had formed on my face while Gene started laughing.

"Oh…that's…Noll's…new…name," Gene said between laughs. I glared at him, while Lin still looked confused and kept on waiting for an explanation. "I'll tell you more once we see Madoka" Gene explained. The rest of the car ride was relatively silent. The car finally stopped in front of a tall black gate, signaling that we had arrived at the palace. The guards opened the gate almost immediately, letting us enter so Lin could park at the circle drive in front of palace.

The palace was a modest size; it had four floors including the basement. The basement held the kitchen and the dining room for the servants. The Davis family didn't want any servants living in the basement so they built a separate house for the servants to live in, just in case they didn't have a place of their own. On the first floor, there was the dining room, a library, a tearoom, a meeting room, several guest rooms, bathrooms, and two different living rooms. On the second and third floor there were more bedrooms and bathrooms. In the back of the palace, there was a large garden and a big fountain.

Mai POV

It was six-thirty when I finally arrived at the library. The library was huge, it had six floors, and each floor was designated for certain genres. Today I was going to the sixth floor, one of the emptiest floors because it was dedicated to parapsychology. Not many people were interested in parapsychology; I was one of the rare exceptions. The only two people that I would see there would be Yasu and Monk. I met Yasu and Monk a year ago. I met them when I was fifteen, when I had to stop going to school because of my stepmother and stepsisters. I first got interested in parapsychology when I was assigned to do research about types of ghosts. I went to the library to do my research and the librarian told me to go to the sixth floor because I would find all the information I needed there. Monk was the librarian that worked that floor since he knew about that sort of stuff. He told me he works as a part-time librarian, monk and a musician. I instantly liked him because he helped me a lot with my research. Over the course of the year I kept going to the sixth floor even of it was just to say hi to Monk since I intended to keep studying other subjects even if I didn't go to school anymore. When I told Monk my story, he offered to help me but I refused, wanting to do things for myself. We grew closer over the year, as I started to treat him as an older bother and father figure while he treated me as a little sister and daughter figure. I met Yasu shortly after I met Monk. Monk was gone for two weeks one time because he had a music gig. One day, I thought I was by myself on the sixth floor but Yasu was there and he could see I was struggling to find a book I needed and he offered to help me. After that day we started taking and soon became best friends. When we were getting to know each other at first, he attempted to flirt with me but he soon got the hint that I wasn't interested and now we see each other like brother and sister. Yasu also offered to help me when he found out about my situation but I declined his help as well. I told Yasu and Monk that the only help that I would accept is if they would teach me what they know and they gladly accepted, so every chance I got, Yasu and Monk would teach me what they knew. I made it to the sixth floor where they were talking and went to greet them at Monk's desk.

"Hi guys."

"Hey Mai" they said.

"Are you ready for today's math lesson?" Yasu asked.

"Actually I just stopped by to say that if we could save the lesson for tomorrow?"

"Why? What happened?" Monk asked.

"Lets just say that I had a hard time at work today and I don't think I can concentrate on the lesson right now."

Gene POV

It was around dinnertime when we entered the palace. When Madoka appeared at the top of the stairs, she looked like she was going to scold us just as Lin did but I stopped her before she could even begin.

"I know what you are going to say Madoka, but let me tell you, I think you will be glad that we snuck out."

She came down the stairs with a confused face as Naru quickly went upstairs to change before dinner. "It better be good Gene," she warned. "Do you know something about this Lin?" She questioned him. Lin simply shook is head as a response. I didn't really feel like changing for dinner so I just simply followed Lin and Madoka to the dining room. We sat down and our servants served us our meals.

"Are our parents eating with us?" I asked.

"No, they had to go out and take care of some business" Madoka replied as she picked up her glass of water to drink. Naru finally appeared, taking a seat next to me, while Lin and Madoka sat across from us. We all ate in silence for once and as soon as we finished, the servants came to clear the table and came to serve our tea. They had just served Madoka's, Lin's and my cup when Naru said, " I don't want any tea. You may go." The girl that always serves our tea after dinner looked at Naru as if he had gone insane, but retreated nevertheless.

"Am I imagining things or did Noll just refuse tea?" Madoka questioned. Both Madoka and Lin looked extremely confused. "What happened while you two were gone?" she questioned.

"I think this is just as good as any time to tell you."

"Gene don't make this a big deal," Naru said.

"I think that girl certainly left an impression on you if you just refused tea Naru." Naru sent me a glare.

"Girl? Naru? Girl! What is going on here?" Madoka asked. Lin wanted to know what was going on just as much as Madoka but his cool demeanor didn't make it seem like it.

"I will not listen to this, I am heading to the library to study. I will see you in the morning" Naru said.

"Naru don't be like that" I joked.

"Gene!" He simply said before he left the dining room.

"Gene tell me now!" Madoka exclaimed.

"Well you see, we went to the tea shop that you recommended the other day, knowing that Naru wouldn't be too upset with me when I dragged him off. So we went and sat down and this girl named Mai attended us. It surprised us that she didn't attempt to flirt with us and Naru being Naru…"

"Who is Naru?" Madoka questioned.

"Hold on, I am getting there." Madoka just nodded impatiently.

"I couldn't decide on what tea I wanted and so I told her to surprise us. As soon as she left, Noll started protesting because I knew he wanted his Earl Grey and didn't want a surprise. After a while, she came back with our teas and to our amazement she brought us our favorite cups of tea."

"Blueberry Green tea and an Earl Grey?" Lin questioned.

"Yes. Both of us were very surprised. I then told her that she was really good and Noll went on to say that she guessed our favorite teas. She then shocked us even more when instead of falling for Naru's charm, she told him that he shouldn't smile when he didn't mean it." At this revelation Madoka's jaw dropped while Lin's eyes slightly widen in surprise.

"To say that Noll was shocked would be an understatement."

"I bet" Madoka said, a grin appearing on her lips.

"So then we taste her tea and it was absolutely amazing. Out of all the teas I have drunk, I don't think any can compare to Mai's tea. We finished the tea quickly and then another girl comes with another cup and tells us it's free since we are new to the place. However, when we tasted it, the flavor wasn't the same. The girl told us that Mai didn't make it and so Naru demanded Mai to come back and serve us. The other girl went to fetch her and Mai was mad. She told Noll off, even when he said that he was the prince. After telling him off she left but not before calling him 'Naru the narcissist'."

"No way!" Madoka squealed while Lin wanted to laugh a little but he controlled himself.

"Yeah, so that is why now I am calling him Naru."

"I want to meet this girl. I don't think I recall a Mai. I think a girl with auburn hair attended me. She made good tea but if NARU now refuses tea here, Mai's tea must be better," Madoka said.

"Oh it definitely is," I say.

"So Naru is it?" Lin asks.

"Yes," I reply.

"I cannot wait until I tell Luella and meet Mai!" Madoka squeals, a twinkle in her eye, hinting she had something up her sleeve.

"Madoka…" Lin warns.

"Oh calm down Lin. You can't tell me you don't want to see Luella beam with happiness at this news, nor can you say that you don't want to meet this girl" Madoka said. Lin didn't respond because what Madoka said was the truth.

"I think its best to get ready for bed. We have been here for quite a while and I want to get up early to get a nice hot cup of tea at the shop tomorrow. Would anybody like to join me?" Madoka asked innocently.

"Madoka…" Lin said.

"I'll join you," I say.

"Lin?" Madoka asks. He simply nods, trying to seem disinterested, but I could tell that he was anything but disinterested.

"So it is settled then," Madoka says as we leave the dining room, making our way upstairs. "Hey NARU! We will be going to the teashop in the morning, so if you want to join us, you better be ready" she says loudly so Naru can hear. As a response, the door of the library is slammed shut. Madoka and I laugh, while Lin shakes his head and a small smile forming at Madoka's antics.

Naru POV

It is 12 in the morning when I decide to go to sleep. I climb onto my bed; my thoughts immediately drift to Mai and her tea. I sigh, just a couple more hours and I can get another cup of tea I think, as I fall asleep.

Mai POV

I climb onto my small old bed hoping to sleep and not think about that jerk anymore. Yasu and Monk kept questioning me about work the entire time I was at the library, luckily they let me be when I told them I would tell them the next time I saw them. All I want to do is sleep and stop thinking about that jerk. I am grateful that my stepmother and stepsisters are gone for a whole week since my stepmother's boyfriend offered them to go with him on a vacation. I still have to clean the house and all but I can slack a little at home this week, though I can't say the same thing for work at the shop. Somehow I get the feeling that I will be seeing him tomorrow, I hope for once my instincts are wrong.

Naru POV

It is 6:40 when we leave the house. Madoka cannot stop expressing her excitement on getting to meet Mai. To think that she swore that she was interested in tasting her tea. Since Gene told them the whole story, now they won't stop calling me Naru, even Lin, much to my surprise.

We get there around seven and head towards a table close to a red-haired lady.

Mai POV

I wake up at six and it takes me half an hour to get ready before I head my way towards the shop. I make it to the shop with five minutes to spare. There are a couple of people already there and they instantly wave and smile at me as I wave and smile back.

"Mai!" I hear at a table nearby and I turn and see that it is Ayako.

"Hi Ayako. Did you just get here?" I ask, giving her a smile.

"Yeah, just barely a minute before you got here" she said, smiling at me as well.

"Same as always?"

"Yes, thanks Mai" she says, while I make my way towards the kitchen. When I reach the kitchen, Miss Tamiko gently grabs my arm and tells me that a table has requested me. Before letting me go, she says that she is not mad at me for what I did yesterday because I must have had a good reason, but to be careful because she didn't want anything to happen to me. I told her that I was grateful that she didn't get mad and that I would try to be on my best behavior. She finally let me go and I prepared Ayako's tea. After I finished with the tea, I delivered her the tea and went to the table that requested me.

I guess my instincts were right because here he was again.

"Mai," he greets with a smirk on his face.

"Naru," I greet him with a glare.

*I tried to include everyone; unfortunately I couldn't get everyone, I barely got Ayako in. I'll explain how Mai and Ayako met in the next one. Masako, Luella, and Martin should appear in the next one hopefully.

*I don't know how Monk ended up being part librarian lol but I just rolled with that idea.

* I know it might annoy you guys that I pretty much repeated the last chapter but I wanted to write Madoka's reaction to the story being told.

*Review?